COLLABORATIVE OYSTER RESTORATION AND EDUCATION
(C.O.R.E)
Collaborative Oyster Restoration and Education (CORE) in a collaborative oyster monitoring and educational conservation effort between Black Girls Dive Foundation (BGDF) and the Severn River Association (SRA) that is proposed in response to three critical issues: (1) the fragile oyster population; (2) the need for the advancement of collaborative strategic partnerships that provides quality robust aquatic-STEM engagement learning for underrepresented minorities (URM) in STEM; and (3) the post-pandemic fallout within the educational system that has furthered the divide in the racial and socioeconomic achievement gap that undermines our ideals of freedom, equality, equity, and opportunity. The proposed project involves engaging middle and high school girls, who are from historically underrepresented minority (URM) groups, in a marine science-based, program that takes place on the Severn river. This project utilizes innovative pedagogical tools that enables youth to connect their learning through in-field experiences on the Severn River.
Dwayne Johnson, Project Lead for C.O.R.E
C.O.R.E Goals
Bring youth awareness towards oyster conservation and restoration
Contribute to Maryland’s oyster population.
What’s going on with Maryland’s oyster population?
There is a dwindling supply of oyster shells and other substrate for which the oysters can attach and grow.
What are we going to do about it?
Black Girls Dive Foundation is partnering with the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance and the Severn River Association to:
Introduce youth to the history of oyster restoration efforts in the Severn River area and other geographic regions.
:Engage youth participants in activities that focus on oyster life cycle and habitats and train participants on how to develop structures that support oyster survival.
Create you-tube videos that promote awareness of the value of oysters and aquaculture efforts in the Severn River.
Utilize advanced technologies for increasing oyster population by building 3D printed structures with biodegradable filament to enable oyster substrate to flourish into a healthy oyster reef.
